Six steps to sock success
Most socks are simple tubes with shaped heels and toes. Our six-step overview of
a basic sock takes the mystery out of knitting and turning heels, working gussets,
and shaping toes. If you have not knit socks before, read this section carefully,
then knit a Baby Sock. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!
1
1 Leg Cast on and divide the stitches on 3 double-pointed needles (dpn). Place a
marker and knit a tube to the ankle. Since a ring marker would fall off the end of
the dpn, use a safety pin marker.
2 Heel Rearrange the stitches on the dpn: place half the stitches (12, in our
example) on the first dpn and divide the rest of the stitches between the 2nd and
3rd dpn. Work back and forth on the 12 stitches of first dpn only. The other 12
stitches are for the instep (the top of the foot) and are on hold.
2
3 Turn heel Continue on the heel stitches, working back and forth in short rows
3
4
5
beginning
of round
8
(for a short row, knit only part way across the dpn, leaving the
rest of the stitches
beginning
of
round
8
unworked, and turning to work back) and decreasing at the end of each6 short
8
row12until approximately one-third of the stitches have been decreased. The heel
stitches have been turned:
6 they were at the back of the heel; now they are at
6 the
8
8
bottom.
6
12
8
12
beginning
of round
8
8
1
6
dpn, pick up4 stitches along the side of the heel and slip them to the first dpn.
8 With
10 2nd dpn, work across the stitches from the next two dpn. With 3rd dpn,
8
6 the other side of heel and work half the heel stitches. The
8
pick up stitches along
beginning
6
beginning of the round is now at the center of the heel. (4a) The extra stitches
12
of round
6
8
that are picked up are decreased at each side of the foot. (4b)
6
6
12
12
66
88
12
8 8 8
8
beginning
of round
8
6 66
88
66
6
6 shaping.
to beginning of toe
10 stitches 10
6
2
6
6
beginning
of round
8
6
beginning
beginning10
10
of round
8
10
of round
6
10
10 10 12 10 10
12
6 6
2
2
4
12 12
12
12
2
6
4
6 6
6
12 12
12
4b
6
ng
d
2
6
6 6 6
6
3
66
beginning
of round
8
6
dpn, 1 stitch each at beginning and end of 2nd dpn, and 1 stitch at beginning
of 3rd dpn. In our example, alternate a decrease round with a plain knit round
until 16 stitches remain, then work 2 decrease rows, draw 8 remaining stitches
together and fasten ends. The sock is ready to wear.
6
2
8
6
5
4a
10
12
6
6 Toe12 Decrease stitches at12 both sides of the foot: decrease 1 stitch at end of first
8
6
26
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12 2
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10
10
6
(24), work around on all
5 Foot When back to the original number of stitches
6
6
6
4 Shape Gusset Now it is time to work around on all three dpn. With an empty
6
12
beginning
beginning
beginning
8of round
6 ofofround
round 6
10
8
6
4
8
6
8
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Updated March 31, 2008
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Here’s a simple pattern ideal for churning out pairs and pairs of socks. In just a
few hours, this design will give you a pair perfect for gift giving. Using various
weights of yarn will give you options. Follow our details for getting started.
Designed by Diane Soucy
Playful Pairs
and using same needle, pick
up and knit 6 stitches along side of heel.
Using another needle, k12 instep stitches.
Using another needle, pick up and knit 6
stitches along other side of heel, and using
this same needle, knit remaining 4 heel
stitches—32 stitches (10/12/10). Beginning of
round is now center of heel.
SSK Slip 2 stitches separately to right needle
as if to knit. Slip left needle into these 2
stitches from left to right and knit them
together.
Note
Slip stitches purlwise with yarn at WS of
work.
easy+
Newborn to 2 years
4b
SOCK
1 Leg
The size of your socks will
vary depending on the yarn
and needles used
Cast on 24 stitches onto a double-pointed
needle. Arrange stitches with 8 stitches on
each of 3 needles (8/8/8). Join, being careful
not to twist stitches. Work in k1, p1 rib for 16
rounds. Knit 3 rounds.
26–16
over stockinette stitch (knit all rounds)
Knit 10 rounds, or until foot measures desired
length to beginning of toe shaping.
Next row Knit 6, turn work.
Next row Purl back over these 6 stitches and
next 6 stitches (12 stitches for heel). Divide
remaining 12 stitches onto 2 needles to hold
for instep.
Work back and forth on heel stitches as
follows: Row 1 (RS) Slip 1, k11. Row 2 Slip 1,
p11. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 five times more.
• A ball of your favorite yarn or
approximately 75 yards from a
previous baby project
• four any size suitable
for the yarn chosen
Next round Knit.
Decrease round Knit to last 3 stitches of first
needle, k2tog, k1; k12 instep stitches on 2nd
needle; k1, SSK, knit to end of third needle.
Repeat last 2 rounds 3 times more—24
stitches (6/12/6).
5 Foot
2 Heel Flap
Fine–Medium weight
Shape gusset
6 Toe
Decrease round Knit to last 3 stitches of first
needle, k2tog, k1; k1, SSK, knit to last 3
stitches of second needle, k2tog, k1; k1,
SSK, knit to end of third needle. Next round
Knit. Repeat last 2 rounds once more. Repeat
decrease round twice more—8 stitches. Break
yarn. Draw yarn through remaining stitches,
gather together and secure yarn to WS.
3 Turn Heel
Row 1 (RS) K7, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 2 (WS) Slip 1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3 Slip 1, k4, k2tog, k1, turn.
Row 4 Slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1—8 stitches.
4a Gusset
Slip 12 instep stitches onto 1 needle, then
using a free needle, k4 heel stitches, using
another free needle, k4 other heel stitches,
working with 4 double-pointed needles (dpns)
1
3
2
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4
Cast stitches onto 1 dpn.
1 Rearrange stitches on 3 dpns. Check carefully that
stitches are not twisted around a dpn or between dpns
before beginning to work in rounds.
2 With a 4th dpn, work all stitches from first dpn. Use
that empty dpn to work the stitches from the 2nd dpn.
Use that empty dpn to work the stitches from the 3rd
dpn—one round completed.
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Place a marker between first and second
stitch of first needle to mark beginning of
round.
Notice that you work with only 2 dpns at
a time. As you work the first few rounds,
be careful that the stitches do not twist
between the needles.
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